---
title: "CVE-2026-89544: Linux Kernel SUNRPC - Use After Free"
description: "Linux kernel contains a use-after-free and refcount leak in SUNRPC gssx_dec_option_array caused by improper error path handling and memory management, letting attackers cause NULL dereference and memory corruption, exploit requires kernel-level access."
url: https://panop.io/threat-heartbeat/CVE-2026-89544/
---

# CVE-2026-89544 Linux Kernel SUNRPC - Use After Free

Linux kernel contains a use-after-free and refcount leak in SUNRPC gssx\_dec\_option\_array caused by improper error path handling and memory management, letting attackers cause NULL dereference and memory corruption, exploit requires kernel-level access.

CVSS base score 7.5 /10

High

CISA KEV

Not listed

Public exploit

None known

Authentication

Not required

EPSS

0.59% chance of exploitation in 30 days

[View the NVD record ↗](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-89544)

## Details

Type

Use After Free

Impact

Denial Of Service, Privilege Escalation

CVSS vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Published

11 September 2026

Updated

15 October 2026

## Vendor fix

Update to the latest Linux kernel version containing the fix for SUNRPC gssx\_dec\_option\_array error path bugs.

Patching closes this CVE. It does not tell you which of your systems run the affected version, or what else is exposed alongside them.

## References

- [https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-89544](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-89544)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3ff45361e9469e85c0f86b8e7b82c63e50bab8ef](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3ff45361e9469e85c0f86b8e7b82c63e50bab8ef)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5e9a94539b1ec17a89177d952badfd0d844d694a](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5e9a94539b1ec17a89177d952badfd0d844d694a)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f85a83774d7f4e2ac71c0c384df0dfb6f7d0179a](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f85a83774d7f4e2ac71c0c384df0dfb6f7d0179a)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/fb30241f7ccace372ee83017891549f23a715581](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/fb30241f7ccace372ee83017891549f23a715581)

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## What this record can't tell you

- Whether you run the affected software, and where
- Whether an attacker can actually reach and exploit it
- The misconfigurations that never get a CVE number
- What it would cost the business, ranked into what to fix first

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